Climate protection, yes, but not just at the expense of drivers

Climate protection, yes, but not just at the expense of drivers

“Adjustment of the mineral oil tax”, “Adjustment of the motor-related insurance tax”, adjustment of the standard consumption tax”, “Adjustment of the taxation of company cars” – the measures proposed by the Federal Environment Agency in the mobility status report are aimed squarely at drivers. A total of 50 measures were thought through in this report, with most of the suggestions serving a purpose, as Gerald Kumnig, ARBÖ General Secretary, explains: "The only thing that should be punished is driving a car and forced to switch to public transport. This is simply unacceptable and far removed from any socially acceptable and sustainable mobility concept."

Climate protection is also a high priority for the ARBÖ, but the ecological component should not be placed above the social one, said Kumnig. In addition, in the debate about a CO₂-Reduction by 2030, the “natural” progress of technology is often ignored. Experts already expect the report “Mobility and Climate Protection 2030” published in 2018 by the ARBÖ and ÖAMTC motoring clubs that pure combustion engines will no longer represent the majority of new registrations from 2023 and will only represent one percent of new registrations from 2030 - in favor of hybrids in particular. “Our calculations show that technological progress will ensure that CO₂“Emissions will fall by 28 percent anyway,” emphasizes Kumnig.